List of suggestions given to DC Jammu, DIG to fight against communal tension

On Jun 17, 2016

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Jammu, June 17: Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Simrandeep Singh heading the Civil authorities in the presence of DIG Jammu Ashkoor A Wani and SSP Jammu Dr Sunil Gupta chaired an unofficial meeting with Mediapersons in Jammu. The aim behind the meeting was to discuss the recent events of sacrilege in Jammu and to invite suggestions as to how such situations can be handled were they to recur.

Here are the main suggestions given by the media representatives which were appreciated by everyone at large.

CCTV Footage

Visuals have a way of remaining in the minds of the viewer for the longest time and effectively instigates the person. The CCTV footage in the event of Aap Shambhu Temple was leaked and that escalated the situation. The lesson to be taken from this episode is that the CCTV footage of public areas such as these should not be accessible to everyone who can use it to flare up tension.

Only senior officials in the Civil and Police administration should have access to such footage so it cannot be misused.

Role of Police

The Janipur Police station issue would not have escalated had the police officials handled the matter efficiently. The incidents of alleged ‘manhandling’ of people during peaceful protests was one of the biggest reasons why the Aap Shambhu sacrilege went out of control.

Complete Internet Ban

The media fraternity in general appreciated that the internet was banned as a measure to prevent further flare up but they also highlighted the fact that a complete ban should have been affected not limiting it to mobile data services only.

The DC however clarified that since a lot of businesses depend on broadband internet, a complete ban is not always feasible.

Check on WhatsApp Groups and Social Media

The quickest way to spread messages and ‘rumours’ is through WhatsApp messages and it has been seen that there are many groups which become more active in spreading misleading messages at such sensitive occasions. There should be a check kept on these groups.

Also, groups that are operated by non-journalists as news groups should be under the scanner as well.

Statements issued by Officials

A suggestion was also given requesting that the officials make statements which may not unintentionally flare up the situation further. It had come to notice that during the Aap Shambhu Protests, a statement was made in the public forum about inebriated protesters which was widely condemned.